I’m looking forward to the 2008 version of ExplorACES, a two-day event designed to acquaint prospective students and their families with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Come March 7-8, we're expecting to host around 1,500 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (and their parents) here at the College of ACES in Urbana-Champaign. I enjoy ExplorACES because it allows me to meet some of the best high school students from across the state, and share in the excitement as they see first-hand some of the extraordinary programs that make this college such a top-notch learning environment. But there’s another reason why ExplorACES impresses me so much: it's a showcase for the skills and expertise of our current students. ACES students plan the event, coordinate logistical schedules for ExplorACES, orchestrate the publicity, staff the exhibits, and truly make the two days an interactive experience for all of the participants.
This year marks our fourth annual ExplorACES, and it's a genuine pleasure to see some of the individuals who as high schoolers were "guests" in previous years, now as ACES students taking high-profile leadership role in producing this year's event. Their willingness to "pitch in" is a testimony to the very special sense of family that students find here at the College of ACES.
